> What are your thoughts?

[bostonsarah05]

Hello Everyone!
I’m Sarah and I’m new to this group. I’m so glad that there’s a group like this! I need all the support I can get…
So, my story…I’m 24 and I’m always sleepy. I was diagnosed with mild sleep apnea. The doctor also thinks I have Narcolepsy. Here are my symptoms:
-Extreme daytime sleepiness: I am always exhausted. I have never fallen asleep at work but it takes everything I have to stay awake every day. On weekends I take constant naps to get through the day. I feel like all I do is sleep. I’ve felt this way since high school! I never went to sleepovers when I was younger b/c I was always too tired.
-I also have hypothyroidism and I am anemic. I am overweight and not in good shape.
-I have not once experienced cataplexy, hallucinations, or sleep paralysis.
-If I’m really stressed, I do not sleep at all. Some nights I’d go as far as to say I have insomnia.
I just completed extensive sleep testing and my sleep doctor says that I cannot be “officially” diagnosed with narcolepsy but she says that my sleep results are “highly suggestive “ of narcolepsy. What are your thoughts? I’ve done lots of research online and can see my results going both ways. I’m really curious as to what you all think.
PSG Test
-Mild sleep apnea noted and worst in REM
-Total sleep time was 423 minutes; 71 minute sleep latency; REM at 215 minutes; decreased REM of 14%; 4 REM cycles
-I took adavan during the test b/c I couldn’t fall asleep.

PSG Test with CPAP
-Total sleep was 390 minutes
-Sleep onset at 93 minutes
-REM onset at 119 minutes
-4 REM cycles
-I took adavan during the test b/c I couldn’t fall asleep.

MSLT Test conducted day after PSG with CPAP
-Nap 1: Sleep latency of 2.0 minutes; no REM noted
-Nap 2: Sleep latency of 2.6 minutes; REM latency 13.0 minutes
-Nap 3: Sleep latency of 6.5 minutes; no REM noted
-Nap 4: Sleep latency of 8.5 minutes; no REM noted
Average was 4.9 sleep latency with REM noted in second nap

Thanks for reading this Blessings to all!

[Toph4er]

Well basically, with only one nap reaching REM sleep the diagnosis can't readily be made...it is possible still for your condition to be due to something else. I would get another test...narcolepsy is definitely not ruled out, and you could benefit from a stimulant in the meantime perhaps...but unless you reach REM in 2 or more naps, it can't be confirmed.

[dracozny]

the hypothyroidism and sleep apnea seem to be more likely to cause your sleep issues. as mentioned you only had one nap that reached REM which is inconclusive. I am considered to have an acute case of Narcolepsy, in 5 naps I fell asleep on average of 9 minutes, I had REM in only the first two. and those I hit under 5 minutes. a second sleep study may reveal more info in your case.
there is also another illness known as chronic fatigue, which does tend to Imitate many symptoms of N. in any case if its N or CF, it can be managed by medication and even diet.